With gas prices constantly in flux, Infiniti has once again come up with innovating solutions in the production of luxury cars. This year marked the debut of the brand new 2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid. Infiniti of Norwood is taking a look at what the new and exciting model is all about.
The Infiniti M Hybrid is the first V-6 true luxury-performance driver’s hybrid, and the only vehicle to offer more than 350 horsepower and 32 mpg fuel economy. EPA ratings are 27 mpg city/32 highway, with a combined city/highway rating of 29 mpg.
The 2012 M35h has the new Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid system, which uses a single electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack, 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine and seven-speed automatic transmission to provide a combination of electric and gasoline power.
The hybrid model does not use the 3.7-liter V-6 in the M37, the base model of the M-sedan lineup. Instead, it uses a version of the 3.5-liter V-6 that powered the previous generation of the M and also is installed in the 2011 Infiniti EX35 crossover.
When combined, the V-6 engine and 50-kilowatt electric motor produce 360 horsepower. The gasoline engine produces 258 foot-pounds of torque, and the electric motor has 199 foot-pounds of torque. The M35h offers the performance of a sports car with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder sedan.
Among standard features are power leather seats (10-way power in front), Japanese ash or silver-powdered white ash wood trim, active noise control, Infiniti’s intelligent-key system with push-button start, XM satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, power moon roof, automatic high-intensity discharge xenon headlights with windshield wiper interlock, dual polished exhaust tips, power-folding heated outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature, rain-sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers and courtesy lamps built into the exterior door handles
Also included are 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and P245/50R18 V-rated, all-season performance tires. Available are tri-split, five-spoke, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.
Also available are such high-tech features as blind-spot warning and intervention, Infiniti’s Forest Air cabin air-filtration system, active trace control (which aids steering) and a hard-drive-based in-dash navigation system.
The exterior paint color choices include Malbec Black, Liquid Platinum, Platinum Graphite, Storm Front Grey, Black Obsidian, Moonlight White and Harbour Blue.
Most models come equipped with the Premium Package, which adds the navigation system. It has an 8-inch touch-screen display, XM NavTraffic and NavWeather, the Zagat Survey Restaurant Guide and a 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive. The package also includes a Bose 10-speaker audio system, heated steering wheel and heated/cooled front seats.
With the Deluxe Touring Package comes a 16-speaker Bose Studio Surround audio system, power rear sunshade, semi-aniline leather, quilted seat pattern with contrasting piping and additional bolstering, and wood trim.
Other options include the Technology Package, Sport Touring Package and Sport Package.